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TCPS
Update
20 February 2003
Mr. Dave Scepanski, President
ASSIST
3300 Bee Caves Road Suite 650-119
Austin, Texas 78746
Dear Dave,
I wanted to take the opportunity to give you my viewpoint on some issues that have come up in the current Legislative session as they apply to TCPS.
First, I want to let you know that Legislators I have come in contact with share our belief that the public safety mission of the agency is a necessary function and must continue. The protection of the public through apprehension of unlicensed operators and the denial of registration to applicants with prohibitive criminal records must continue.
However, in what venue this mission is to continue is at question. The possibility of consolidation of TCPS under another agency has been discussed. The agencies mentioned have been the Department of Public Safety, The Department of Licensing and Regulation and the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. While we wish to remain an independent agency we understand the potential of consolidation. In the event of consolidation we have committed to make the transition, if it occurs, with the least possible disruption in service.
Second, I know you are aware that all agencies were requested by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House, to make a 7% decrease in our FY 2003 budget. Effective March 1, 2003, we will close our field offices and make a reduction in our remaining staff. We will continue our investigative effort with our investigators based out of our Austin headquarters and traveling throughout the State as needed. As you know we have made unlicensed investigations a priority and will continue to do so. I believe we need to continue our dialogue on how ASSIST members can help TCPS in the apprehension of unlicensed operators. This is a worthwhile effort and one we should continue to improve upon.
Also I want to let you know that TCPS is moving as quickly as we can in cooperation with TexasOnLine. This will allow for individual renewals and eventually company renewals to be done via the internet and we hope that legislation will make it through this session that will allow original applications to also be filed on line. I think this will be very convenient for the industry and if it is used widely by the industry, savings in administration at TCPS will allow more resources for enforcement. Now, if we can solve the rejected fingerprint card problem we can really streamline the application process.
Sincerely,
Cliff Grumbles, Executive Director
TCPS
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